Before I
began writing, I remember standing in a large, Christian bookstore thinking,
‘Why would anyone ever want to add to the enormous numbers of books
already here on these shelves? Surely we know enough about living the Christian
life, without any more “how to” books from anyone? Perhaps there’s room for
more Aussie novels, but how could I compete with all the American ones already here?’
Have you ever
felt like that in your own writing journey? You may not have stood in an actual
physical bookstore, feeling overwhelmed and intimidated, but perhaps as you have
noticed online what others are writing, you too may have begun to doubt your
own writing efforts. It can be so easy to compare ourselves with other writers
and end up completely discouraged, can’t it?
I can also
easily become discouraged after reading how others manage to promote their
books in ways I have never explored. My current publisher, Authentic Media UK,
tries hard to encourage all their authors to be more proactive promotion-wise,
especially on social media, by providing excellent monthly coaching for us online
via Teams. Even while taking part in this, however, I can manage to compare
myself to others and wonder if I am doing enough.
In times of
discouragement, one key thing that has helped me is remembering how God called
me to start writing. I was overseas visiting a friend and, one morning while
reading Isaiah 42, I sensed God saying, ‘Come on, Jo-Anne. How many times do I
have to show you? Go home and start writing!’ I had wanted to write for years –
but now I sensed God was giving me permission to do something I had felt might
be self-indulgent and actually start. I am forever grateful for this strong
challenge as it has helped keep me determined to do my best for God in my
writing and speaking. So … do you have that same sense that God has called you
to write? If so, may God continue to give you the strength to be obedient and
persevere.
I remember too
how, way back when I doubted the wisdom of adding to the plethora of books
already out there, someone said gently, ‘But they’re not your books!’ That
resonated with me, especially in the light of believing God had called me to
write. God had created me as I am, with my own unique gifts and abilities, and
taken me on my own unique journey through life. Surely then it was possible
that God had things for me to say that no one else could say in quite the same
way? And of course this is true for you too. Yes, we need to research the
market and know what other similar books are out there already, but God is
quite able to guide us in all that and show us the unique contribution we can
make through our own writing.
I am so grateful as I look back on my writing and speaking journey of
around twenty years and remember God’s encouragement and provision through it
all – and God’s continued strengthening as I keep writing in 2026. Whatever unique
writing journey God has called you to take, may you too know that same
encouragement and provision, now and for many years to come.
Jo-Anne Berthelsen is a Sydney-based author of seven novels and four non-fiction works. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked in teaching, editing and local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves encouraging others through both the written and spoken word and is a keen blogger. Jo-Anne’s latest book, God Moments, is available via her website, Koorong Books and Amazon
